iPad Air 5 with OLED display tipped for next year ahead of next iPad Pro

iPad Air 4 review
(Image credit: Henry T. Casey/Tom's Guide)

While the latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021 may have come packing a new mini-LED display, other iPad models have been rocking basically the same LCD panels since their inception. Thankfully, that might be about to change.

That's according to a new report from The Elec, which claimed that Apple is gearing up to sell OLED iPads as early as next year. While the publication didn't cite its sources, this is something we’ve heard about before, but never got any official word on. 

The Korean news site reported that Apple could launch an OLED iPad with a 10.68-inch screen sometime next year, with 11-inch and 12.9-inch OLED panels said to be coming in 2023.

It’s not clear which iPads could get an OLED display, but the screen sizes suggest that the iPad Air and both iPad Pro models may be in the running. For the iPad Air and 11-inch iPad Pro, that makes sense, though it’s not entirely clear why Apple would offer an OLED 12.9-inch iPad Pro when a mini-LED model is already on sale; the latter panel technology is arguably better than OLED in a lot of cases. 

Interestingly, the report also noted that the 10.68-inch model will rely on a rigid OLED display, while future models could utilize flexible glass displays instead. It’s a little odd to go rigid for a single model, particularly since the iPhone has been using flexible OLED panels since the launch of the iPhone X.

Apple seems to have been quite wary about upgrading its devices from LCD to OLED. While OLED panels have been used on Apple Watches and flagship iPhones for several generations, Apple hasn’t released a single OLED iPad or MacBook.

Opting for mini-LED in the latest iPad Pro was seen as a sign that Apple might avoid OLED iPads altogether. But seeing as how mini-LED is still a very new technology, and thus more expensive to manufacture, it’s not exactly ideal for more affordably priced products such as the iPad Air.

OLED has the advantage that each individual pixel is lit, whereas mini-LED relies on small clusters of light. That said, OLED can be prone to burn in if you’re not careful, and doesn’t have the best off-angle performance. Meanwhile, mini-LED can offer higher maximum brightness, as well as better colors and contrast.

It could be that Apple is intending to offer multiple display variants for the iPad Pro in the future. That way, people could enjoy the upgrades afforded by an OLED display, while those willing to pay for the pricier performance of mini-LED can still do so.

It's not clear, either, how such a decision would affect future MacBook Pros, which are rumored to be getting mini-LED displays later this year.

Obviously this isn’t confirmation that OLED iPads are on the way. However the fact this is (at least) the third time we’ve heard about this from various reports and rumors means it’s looking more likely.

TOPICS
Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

Read more
MacBook Air M3
Apple's MacBook Air OLED may be delayed until 2029 — thanks to the iPad Pro M4!
MacBook Air M3
Don’t expect a MacBook Air OLED any time soon — here’s what we’ve heard
Concept image of foldable iPad
Apple reportedly has an 18.8-inch foldable iPad prototype with under-display Face ID
iPad 2022 back in yellow
iPad 11 could get an Apple Intelligence-ready chip — what we know
Apple iPhone 16 held in the hand.
iPhone 17 just tipped for this Pro feature after years of waiting
Renders of the iphone 17 in teal, green and dark green
iPhone 17 just tipped for the one big upgrade we've been waiting for
Latest in iPads
iPad Air M3 on a windowsill
Quick! Amazon just slashed $40 off the new iPad Air M3 — first ever discount
Concept image of foldable iPad
Apple reportedly has an 18.8-inch foldable iPad prototype with under-display Face ID
iPad Air M3
Apple iPad Air M3 review: The sweet spot just got even sweeter
iPad Air M3
iPad Air M3 and iPad 11 surprisingly miss out on Apple's C1 modem
iPad Air M3 tablet shown in various colors
iPad Air M3 vs iPad Air M2: What's different?
Apple iPad 11
iPad 11 just announced — here’s what’s new
Latest in News
Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams
Why I watch ‘Field of Dreams’ on baseball’s opening day every year
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order date just revealed by Best Buy — here's when you can get yours
iphone 17 renders showing off rear and camera bump
iPhone 17 just tipped for this major display upgrade — thanks to Samsung
Galaxy S25 Edge dummy unit from side angle
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge colors shown off in leaked renders — here’s the options
Nothing Phone 3a Pro rear side showing the camera
Nothing Phone 3a could start charging for using AI features — and I think that's a terrible idea
Motorola Razr Plus 2024 cover display
Motorola Razr 60 Ultra just tipped for a price hike — here's what you might pay